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Stars down Strikers in Adelaide

Brad Hodge led the Stars to a total too target for the Strikers to topple.

Getty Images: Morne de Klerk

A top-shelf showing from vintage batsman Brad Hodge inspired the Melbourne Stars to an eight-run victory against the Adelaide Strikers in Thursday night's Twenty20 match in Adelaide.

Hodge cracked a sparkling 88 from 58 balls as the Stars posted 8 for 175, with the Strikers finishing 4 for 167 in reply.

The Stars, with their fourth consecutive win, took second spot on the Big Bash League ladder from Adelaide.

The Strikers' never seriously threatened to reel in their target despite a star turn from Kieron Pollard (65 from 43 balls) and solid contributions from Callum Ferguson (35 from 28) and Tim Ludeman (30 from 21).

Adelaide's hopes of pinching a win before a sell-out 15,344 home crowd hinged on gun import Pollard.

But the West Indian could not engineer a big-hitting miracle despite whacking four sixes and five fours in his unbeaten knock.

The Strikers needed 27 to win from the final over and, after his side was mathematically out of the match, Pollard smashed two 100 metre-plus maximums and a four to add respectability to his side's score.

Melbourne's import Lasith Malinga was instrumental in restricting the home side, the Sri Lankan paceman taking 1 for 29 from four shrewd overs.

Fellow paceman James Faulkner also claimed an important 2 for 32 from four overs but his team-mate Hodge was the hero with a sensational performance with the bat.

Hodge underpinned the Stars' innings with the veteran dominating scoring - when dismissed in the 15th over, Hodge had made 88 of the visitors' 129 runs.

Two days shy of his 38th birthday, Hodge was vicious on all bowlers and plundered 10 fours and three sixes.

Hodge's assault set the Stars on a path towards a massive total, but when he was dismissed they lost momentum - his wicket started a slump of 6 for 32.

Hodge's opening partner Rob Quiney made 22 from 12 balls but no other Stars batsman passed 17 runs, while Adelaide quick Shaun Tait (2 for 36 from four overs) was the only multiple wicket taker for the home side.